The Guardian:
Nearly 7,000 civilians were killed in Iraq in the past two months, according to a UN report just released - a record high that is far greater than initial estimates had suggested. As American generals in Baghdad warned that the violence could worsen in the run up to Ramadan next Monday, the UN spoke of a "grave sectarian crisis" gripping the country.
With known Iraqi deaths running at more than 100 a day because of sectarian murders, al-Qaida and nationalist insurgent attacks, and fatalities inflicted by the multinational forces, the UN said its total was likely to be "on the low side" because of the difficulties of collecting accurate figures. In particular, it said that no deaths were reported from the violent region covering Ramadi and Falluja.
Can we all agree that 'sectarian violence' is code for 'civil war' and proceed honestly?
Questions that need answers:
- In a civil war, what is the US role?
- Does US presence merely aggravate sectarian tensions?
- Why, exactly, isn't the US anything other than one more armed militia?
- What the hell is the plan here -- is there one?
I'm not holding my breath until I get answers...
Tags: news politics Iraq war disaster military Bush Rumsfeld
